Top 10 hungriest countries in the world in 2025: India falls under ‘serious’ category

The Global Hunger Index 2025 shows that a number of nations still fall into the categories of “alarming” or “serious” hunger, with scores ranging from 31 to 42.6. Among the most affected are Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti, which continue to face devastating hunger levels due to ongoing crises.

In Somalia, decades of conflict, recurring droughts, and mass displacement have left millions struggling to find food and clean water. Weak infrastructure and repeated natural disasters make farming and food delivery extremely difficult. As a result, Somalia remains one of the hardest-hit countries in the world when it comes to hunger.

South Sudan follows closely behind. The nation continues to battle widespread food insecurity caused by flooding, violence, and civil unrest. Broken supply chains and damaged roads make it nearly impossible for people in rural areas to access markets or food aid. With a Global Hunger Index score of 37.5, South Sudan ranks among the top countries facing severe hunger, and millions depend on humanitarian assistance to survive.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shares the same score of 37.5. Despite the country being rich in natural resources and having fertile land, DRC’s long history of violence, poor infrastructure, and underdeveloped rural areas have created a deep food crisis. Farmers often abandon their land due to conflict, and trade routes remain unsafe, cutting off food supplies for large parts of the population.

Haiti, with a score of 35.7, also continues to suffer from extreme hunger. The country’s long struggle with poverty, coupled with natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, has destroyed crops, homes, and infrastructure time and again. Political instability and economic hardship make recovery even harder, leaving millions without secure access to food.

Several other countries in Africa and Asia also record distressing hunger levels. Ongoing wars, forced displacement, and unstable economies continue to trap people in cycles of poverty and food insecurity.

India’s rank in Global Hunger Index 2025

India, one of the largest food producers in the world, also faces significant hunger challenges. Ranked 102nd on the Global Hunger Index 2025 with a score of 25.8, India falls into the “serious” category. Despite its agricultural strength, challenges like poverty, child malnutrition, unequal food distribution, and poor sanitation persist. High rates of stunting and wasting among children, poor maternal health, and a lack of dietary diversity remain major concerns. Rapid population growth and regional inequalities further strain the system, making hunger a complex problem that goes beyond food production.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 countries with the highest hunger rates in the world.

Top 10 hungriest countries in the world in 2025